Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a display panel, a first covering part, an upper frame and a lower frame. The first covering part is disposed on the display panel. The upper frame is disposed under the first covering part and includes a first combining portion. The lower frame is combined with the upper frame through the first combining portion, and overlaps a peripheral portion of the display panel.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/471,131 filed Aug. 28, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/591,394 filed Aug. 22, 2012 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,821,000 on Sep. 2, 2014, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2011-0083750, filed on Aug. 23, 2011, and allthe benefits accruing there from under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a display apparatus.More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to adisplay apparatus displaying an image.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a display apparatus includes a display panel displaying animage and a backlight assembly supplying a light to the display panel. Adisplay apparatus using the light from outside of the display apparatusinstead of the backlight assembly has been developed.

However, if the backlight assembly is omitted, a bottom receiving platesupporting the whole display apparatus is also omitted so that astability of the display apparatus is decreased. For example, alarge-sized display apparatus without the backlight assembly has only aframe structure supporting the display apparatus, so that the stabilityof the display apparatus is not guaranteed.

In addition, when the backlight assembly includes a light guiding platehaving a relatively high transparency, the transparency and thestructural stability of the display apparatus may be hard to bemaintained at the same time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display apparatuscapable of improving transparency and structural stability.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a displayapparatus includes a display panel, a first covering part, an upperframe including a first combining portion, and a lower frame. The firstcovering part is disposed on the display panel. The upper frame isdisposed under the first covering part. The lower frame is combined withthe upper frame through the first combining portion and overlaps aperipheral portion of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame may be spaced apart from thedisplay panel in a plan view.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first covering part may include atempered glass.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first combining portion may protrudetoward the lower frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame may be attached to the firstcovering part by an adhesive.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame may face the peripheralportion of the display panel. An elastic part may be at a side of theupper frame adjacent to the display panel, to protect a side of thedisplay panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame may include a first lowerframe portion under the upper frame and a second lower frame portionextending from the first lower frame portion and under the displaypanel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame may be combined with a firstcombining portion of the upper frame by a combining part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first combining portion may include afirst combining hole. The first lower frame portion may include a secondcombining hole aligned with the first combining hole. The combining partmay be combined with the first combining hole through the secondcombining hole to fix the upper frame and the first lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame and the first lower frameportion may be fixed to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include adriving part connected to a first side of the display panel to drive thedisplay panel. A first area of the first lower frame portioncorresponding to the first side of the display panel may be larger thana remaining area of the first lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving part may be disposed at thefirst area of the first lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include aconnector connecting the driving part to outside and disposed at an endportion of the driving part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second lower frame portion supports theperipheral portion of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second lower frame portion may furtherinclude an elastic part to support the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, an area of the first covering partoverlapping the upper frame may have a black color.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include asecond covering part disposed under the second lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame may further include astepped portion connecting the first lower frame portion to the secondlower frame portion. Sides of the second covering part may make contactwith the stepped portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include asupporting frame supporting the second covering part and combined withthe first lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include abacklight assembly. The backlight assembly may include a light guidingplate, a light source and a supporting frame. The light guiding platemay be disposed under the second lower frame portion. The light sourcemay be disposed at a side of the light guiding plate. The supportingframe may overlaps a peripheral portion of the light guiding plate andthe light source, and be combined with the lower frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting frame may include a firstsupporting frame portion, a second supporting frame portion and a thirdsupporting frame portion. The first supporting frame portion may beunder the first lower frame portion and combined with the first lowerframe portion. The second supporting frame portion may be under thelight guiding plate. The third supporting frame portion may connect thefirst supporting frame portion to the second supporting frame portion,and receive the light source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame includes a stepped portionconnecting the first lower frame portion to the second lower frameportion. The light source may be disposed on the stepped portion.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a displayapparatus includes a first covering part, a display panel, an upperframe and a lower frame. The display panel is disposed under the firstcovering part. The upper frame is disposed around the display panel. Thelower frame includes a first lower frame portion and a second lowerframe portion. The first lower frame portion is combined with the upperframe. The second lower frame portion extends from the first lower frameportion and is disposed under the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first covering part may includea transparent material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second lower frame portion may overlap aperipheral portion of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame further may further includea stepped portion having a first height. The stepped portion may connectthe second lower frame portion to the first lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame is spaced apart from thedisplay panel when viewed from a top of the first covering part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame is overlapped with the lowerframe when viewed from the top of the first covering part, and an areaof the upper frame is smaller than that of the lower frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper frame may include a firstcombining portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame may be combined with theupper frame through the first combining portion. The lower frame mayoverlap a peripheral portion of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first combining portion of the upperframe may protrude toward the lower frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include acombining part which combines the lower frame with the first combiningportion of the upper frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first combining portion of the upperframe may include a first combining hole. The first lower frame portionmay include a second combining hole which is aligned with the firstcombining hole. The combining part may be combined with the firstcombining hole and extend through the second combining hole.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include asecond covering part overlapping the second lower frame portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame further may include astepped portion which connects the first lower frame portion to thesecond lower frame portion. Sides of the second covering part maycontact the stepped portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include asupporting frame. The second covering part may be between the supportingframe and the second lower frame portion. The supporting frame may becombined with the first lower frame portion.

According to the invention, the display apparatus includes a firstcovering part, an upper frame and a lower frame, so that a display panelmay be stably fixed without an additional backlight assembly having areceiving container. The first covering part is disposed on the displaypanel, the upper frame is attached under the first covering part, andthe lower frame includes a first lower frame portion combined with theupper frame and a second lower frame portion supporting the displaypanel, so that the display apparatus may improve transparency andstructural stability.

In addition, the display apparatus may be easily assembled anddisassembled, so that manufacturing process and repairing process may besimplified.

In addition, the driving part is disposed at the first side of thedisplay panel in a line, so that the display apparatus may have atransparent structure of the display panel and have a relatively thinframe width at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the invention will become more apparentby describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating still anotherexemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating still anotherexemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention;and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI′ of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, theelement or layer can be directly on, connected or coupled to anotherelement or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. As used herein, connected mayrefer to elements being physically and/or electrically connected to eachother. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed asecond element, component, region, layer or section without departingfrom the teachings of the invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper” andthe like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe therelationship of one element or feature to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “lower” or “under”relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” or“above” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and under. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention. FIG. 2 isa cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view taken along line II-IF of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the display apparatus 1000 includes a firstcovering part 100, a display panel 200, an upper frame 300 and a lowerframe 400.

The display panel 200 displays an image in response to external drivingand data signals using a light from outside. The display panel 200 mayinclude an array substrate 210, an opposite substrate 220 facing withthe array substrate 210, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposedbetween the array substrate 210 and the opposite substrate 220. Adriving pad 212 may be formed at a first side 210 a of the arraysubstrate 210, electrically connected to signal lines, and electricallyconnected to a driving part 230 to drive the display panel 200.

The driving part 230 may include a driving board 232 providing a drivingsignal to the display panel 200, and a flexible printed circuit board(“FPCB”) 234 connecting the driving board 232 to the display panel 200.A driving chip 235 is mounted on the FPCB 234. The driving part 230 mayinclude a first driving board 232 a and a second driving board 232 b.The driving part 230 may disposed adjacent to the first side 210 a ofthe display panel 200. The first and second driving boards 232 a and 232b may be spaced apart in a first direction D1 which is a longitudinaldirection of the first side 210 a. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, each of the first and second driving boards 232 a and 232 b mayinclude a pair of first sides extending along the first direction D1,and a pair of second sides which are shorter than the first sides,extending along a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1.

A connector 236 connecting the first driving board 232 a to an externalpower supply (not shown) may be at one of the second sides of the firstdriving board 232 a. The connector 236 may be at one of the second sidesof the first driving board 232 a which is farthest from the seconddriving board 232 b. Alternatively, the connector 236 may be at one ofthe first sides of the first driving board 232 a which is farthest fromthe display panel 200. The connector 236 is at the second side of thefirst driving board 232 a which is furthest from the second drivingboard 232 b so that the external power supply may be more easilyconnected to the connector 236, compared to the connector 236 at thesecond side of the first driving board 232 a adjacent to the seconddriving board 232 b.

The first covering part 100 is disposed on the display panel 200. Thefirst covering part 100 may be a single, unitary, indivisible member.The first covering part 100 faces the opposite substrate 220 of thedisplay panel 200. A total size (e.g. planar area) of the first coveringpart 100 is larger than that of the display panel 200 in the plan view.Thus, the first covering part 100 entirely covers and overlaps thedisplay panel 200. The first covering part 100 includes a shadingportion 110 at outer sides a peripheral portion of the first coveringpart 100 and partially covers the display apparatus 1000. The shadingportion 110 may be formed by shading the peripheral portion of the firstcovering part 100 to a black color. The shading portion 110 is at aportion corresponding to (e.g., overlapping or aligned in position with)the upper frame 300 and the lower frame 400. The first covering part 100may include a transparent material having relatively high hardness. Inone exemplary embodiment, for example, the first covering part 100 mayinclude tempered glass. In addition, the first covering part 100 mayinclude a flexible transparent material, such as a transparent plastic.

The upper frame 300 is disposed under the first covering part 100. Inthe exemplary embodiment, for example, the upper frame 300 may have arectangular frame shape corresponding to the peripheral portion of thefirst covering part 100. The upper frame 300 may be a frame shape havinga central opening and having a rigid body. Alternatively, the upperframe 300 may include a plurality of frames which are combined eachother to form a rectangular frame shape. The upper frame 300 is disposedunder the peripheral portion of the first covering part 100. The upperframe 300 may be attached to the first covering part 100 by an adhesive310. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the adhesive 310 may be adouble-sided adhesive tape.

The upper frame 300 includes at least one first combining portion 320through which the upper frame 300 is combined with the lower frame 400.The first combining portion 320 protrudes from a lower surface of theupper frame 300 toward an upper surface of the lower frame 400. Thefirst combining portion 320 includes a first combining hole 322. Thefirst combining hole 322 may be combined with a combining part 330. Inone exemplary embodiment, for example, the first combining hole 322 mayhave a thread of a screw to be combined with a bolt as the combiningpart 330.

When the upper frame 300 includes a plurality of the first combiningportion 320, the first combining portions 320 may be around the upperframe 300 along peripheral portion of the upper frame 300 in a line, orin a zigzag shape.

The upper frame 300 is disposed around the display panel 200. The upperframe 300 and the display panel 200 are disposed not to overlap witheach other when viewed from a top of the first covering part 100, todecrease thickness of the display apparatus 1000. A first elastic part340 may be at a side of the upper frame 300 to protect a side of thedisplay apparatus 1000. The upper frame 300 may be an area correspondingto the first side 220 a larger than a remaining area. Thus, the upperframe 300 may be stably combined with the area corresponding to thefirst side 220 a of the lower frame 400. The first elastic part 340 mayinclude a rubber.

The upper frame 300 may further include a protruding portion 350protruding toward a direction opposite to the first covering part 100.The protruding portion 350 is inserted into a third combining hole 414of the lower frame 400. The protruding portion 350 and the thirdcombining hole 414 provide a reference position to accurately combinethe upper frame 300 with the lower frame 400. Thus, the upper frame 300and the lower frame 400 may be stably combined with each other.

The lower frame 400 is disposed under the upper frame 300. The lowerframe 400 and the upper frame 300 are combined with each other throughthe first combining portion 320. The lower frame 400 is combined withthe upper frame 300 to support the display panel 200. The lower frame400 may have a closed loop shape disposed around the display panel 200.Accordingly, the lower frame 400 exposes a display area of the displaypanel 200 except for a peripheral portion of the display panel 200. Inthe exemplary embodiment, for example, the lower frame 400 includes anopening 440 exposing the display area. Accordingly, the lower frame 400may support the peripheral portion of the display panel 200. The lowerframe 400 may be combined with the first combining portion 320 of theupper frame 300 by the combining part 330. In the exemplary embodiment,for example, the combining part 330 may include a bolt which is insertedinto and fixed with the first combining hole 322.

The lower frame 400 includes a first lower frame portion 410 under theupper frame 300, and a second lower frame portion 420 under the displaypanel 200 and extending from the first lower frame portion 410. Thefirst and second lower frame portions 410 and 420 are in differentplanes from each other. In the exemplary embodiment, for example, thesecond lower frame portion 420 extends from a side of the first lowerframe portion 410 toward the display panel 200. The first and secondlower frame portions 410 and 420 are spaced apart from each other by afirst height h1 to form a stepped portion. Thus, the lower frame 400includes a stepped portion 430. The first height h1 may be substantiallysame as height of the first combining portion 320 or smaller than theheight of the first combining portion 320.

The first lower frame portion 410 includes a second combining hole 412corresponding to the first combining portion 320 of the upper frame 300.The first combining portion 320 is disposed to correspond to the secondcombining hole 412 of the first lower frame portion 410. The combiningpart 330 may be inserted into the first combining hole 322 through thesecond combining hole 412 of the first lower frame portion 410. Thecombining part 330 may be disposed to correspond to (e.g., aligned with)the second combining hole 412, so that a protruded portion of thecombining part 330 may be inserted into the second combining hole 412and a remaining portion of the combining part 330, which is notinserted, may be partially overlapped with the first lower frame portion410.

A portion of the first lower frame portion 410 adjacent to the secondcombining hole 412 may be disposed between the remaining portion of thecombining part 330 and the first combining portion 320. In the exemplaryembodiment, for example, an end portion of the first lower frame portion410, which defines the second combining hole 412, may make contact withthe first combining portion 320, so that the end portion of the firstlower frame portion 410 may be pressed by the first combining portion320 toward an extending direction of the first combining portion 320.That is, for example, the end portion of the first lower frame portion410 may make contact with the first combining portion 320.Alternatively, a side of the first lower frame portion 410, which formsthe end portion of the first lower frame portion 410 and faces the firstcombining portion 320, may make contact with the first combining portion320.

Accordingly, the combining part 330 is inserted into the first combininghole 322. The portion of the first lower frame portion 410 is overlappedwith and fixed with the first combining portion 320. The lower frame 400may be strongly combined with the upper frame 300 by the combining part330.

The first lower frame portion 410 may further include at least one thirdcombining hole 414. The protruding portion 350 of the upper frame 300 isinserted into the third combining hole 414. The protruding portion 350and the third combining hole 414 guide the combination of the upperframe 300 and the lower frame 400, so that the upper frame 300 and thelower frame 400 may be stably combined with each other.

The protruding portion 350 of the upper frame 300 may have a bar shapehaving a predetermined length in the plan view. The protruding portion350 of the upper frame 300 may have a hook shape to be combined with thethird combining hole 414, so that the upper frame 300 and the lowerframe 400 may be stably fixed. When the upper frame 300 includes aplurality of the protruding portions 350, some of the protrudingportions 350 may have the bar shape and some of the protruding portions350 may have the hook shape.

The second lower frame portion 420 is under the display panel 200 andsubstantially parallel with the display panel 200. The second lowerframe portion 420 supports the peripheral portion of the display panel200. The first lower frame portion 410 is fixed at the upper frame 300by the combining part 330, and the second lower frame portion 420 pushesthe display panel 200 upwardly to fix the display panel 200. Asmentioned above, the height of the stepped portion 430 may besubstantially the same as or be slightly smaller than a height of thefirst combining portion 320. In the exemplary embodiment, for example,when the first lower frame portion 410 is combined with the upper frame300 by the combining part 330, the stepped portion 430 may have theheight such that the first lower frame portion 410 may stably fix andsupport the display panel 200. The second lower frame portion 420 maystably support the peripheral portion of the display panel 200, so thatthe display panel 200 may be stably fixed in the display apparatus 1000with exposing a lower portion of the display panel 200 to outside.

The second lower frame portion 420 may further include a second elasticpart 422. The second elastic part 422 is disposed between the displaypanel 200 and the second lower frame portion 420, and along the secondlower frame portion 420. The second elastic part 422 reduces oreffectively prevents damage to the second lower frame portion 420 whendirectly contacting the display panel 200, and compensates a differenceof the height between the stepped portion 430 and the first combiningportion 320. The second elastic part 422 may include the rubber.

The lower frame 400 includes the second lower frame portion 420supporting the peripheral portion of the display panel 200, so that theupper frame 300 may not be exposed to outside of the display apparatus1000 by the first lower frame portion 410 of the lower frame 400, thestepped portion 430 and the second lower frame portion 420. Accordingly,this structure may increase quality of appearance of the displayapparatus 1000 and effectively block a foreign substance from reachingan inner area of the display apparatus 1000. In the exemplaryembodiment, for example, complex units of the display apparatus 1000which are exposed to outside of the display apparatus 1000 may beminimized by the lower frame 400, so that the quality of appearance maybe increased. In addition, a flow of the foreign substance into thedisplay apparatus 1000 through a gap between the display panel 200 andthe upper frame 300 or a gap between the first covering part 100 and thedisplay panel 200, may be reduced or effectively prevented. Thus, poorquality due to an inflow of the foreign substance may be reduced. Theupper frame 300 is overlapped with the lower frame 400. A planar area ofthe upper frame 300 is smaller than a planar area of the lower frame 400overlapping the upper frame 300.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the first lower frame portion 410, a firstarea 400 a corresponding to the first side 210 a of the display panel200 has a planar area larger than a remaining area of the first lowerframe portion 410. The driving part 230 is disposed on the first area400 a. The first area 400 a is larger than the remaining area of thefirst lower frame portion 410, so that a portion of the display panel200 including the driving part 230, may be stably supported. The drivingboard 232 is disposed facing the first covering part 100. The drivingboard 232 faces a lower surface of the first covering part 100 and isnot overlapped with the upper frame 300. The FPCB 234 is bent from thefirst lower frame portion 410 toward the first covering part 100, sothat the driving board 232 faces the first covering part 100. When theFPCB 234 is divided into a mounting surface on which the driving chip235 is mounted and an opposite surface which faces the mounting surface,the driving board 232 faces the mounting surface. In addition, thedriving board 232 may be fixed under the first covering part 100 by anadhesive.

The FPCB 234, which connects the driving board 232 to the display panel200, extends from the display panel 200 and is connected to a first side232 c of the driving board 232. Thus, the FPCB 234 extends to the firstside 232 c of the driving board 232 opposite to a second side 232 d ofthe driving board 232 which is adjacent to the display panel 200, and isconnected to the first side 232 c.

The FPCB 234 partially makes contact with the first lower frame portion410. In the exemplary embodiment, for example, a portion of the FPCB234, on which the driving chip 235 is mounted, makes contact with thefirst lower frame portion 410. Thus, the opposite surface correspondingto the portion of the FPCB 234, on which the driving chip 235 ismounted, directly makes contact with the first lower frame portion 410.The portion of the FPCB 234 on which the driving chip 235 is mounteddirectly makes contact with the first lower frame portion 410, so thatheat generated from the driving chip 235 may be dissipated outsidethrough the first lower frame portion 410 which has a relatively largerarea and relatively higher thermal conductivity.

As described above, the driving board 232 is disposed adjacent to thefirst covering part 100, and the portion of the FPCB 234 on which thedriving chip 235 is mounted directly makes contact with the first lowerframe portion 410, so that the display apparatus 1000 may dissipate theheat more efficiently.

Alternatively, the driving board 232 may be overlapped with the upperframe 300 and attached on the upper frame 300.

As mentioned above, the display apparatus 1000 may stably fix andreceive the display panel 200 using the first covering part 100, theupper frame 300 and the lower frame 400 without an additional backlightassembly including a conventional receiving container which receives alight source and the display panel 200. Thus, a transparent display ofthe display apparatus 1000 may be implemented with an improvedstructural stability. In addition, the display apparatus 1000 isassembled more simply, so that the display apparatus 1000 may bemanufactured, disassembled and repaired more easily.

Furthermore, the driving part 230 is disposed at a side of the displaypanel 200, for example, the driving part 230 is disposed at a first sideof the display apparatus 1000 in a line, so that a frame width of thedisplay panel 200 may be reduced and the display panel 200 may have thetransparent structure. In addition, the FPCB 234 connected to thedriving board 232 makes contact with the lower frame 400, so that heatgenerated inside of the display apparatus 1000 may be efficientlydissipated.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention. FIG. 6 isa cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 5.

A display apparatus 1002 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS.5 and 6 is substantially same as the display apparatus 1000 illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 3, except that structure of the lower frame 401 isdifferent from that of the display apparatus 1000 and the displayapparatus 1002 further includes a second covering part 510 andsupporting frame 520 further under the display panel 200. Hereinafter,any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will beomitted.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the display apparatus 1002 includes a firstcovering part 100, a display panel 200, an upper frame 300 including afirst combining portion 320 including a first combining hole 322, thelower frame 401 including first and second lower frame portions 411 and420 and a stepped portion 430, the second covering part 510 and thesupporting frame 520.

The first lower frame portion 411 includes a second combining hole 412,a third combining hole 414 and a fourth combining hole 416. The firstlower frame portion 411 is substantially same as the first lower frameportion 410 of the lower frame 400 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, expectfor the fourth combining hole 416. Thus, any repetitive explanationconcerning the above elements will be omitted. The fourth combining hole416 will be describe after explaining the second covering part 510 andthe supporting frame 520.

The second covering part 510 is disposed under the second lower frameportion 420. The second covering part 510 may be a single, unitary,indivisible member. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the secondcovering part 510 may include a same material as the first covering part100. The second covering part 510 has a planar area smaller than aplanar area of the first covering part 100, and is disposed closer tothe second lower frame portion 420 than the first covering part 100.Thus, the second covering part 510 makes contact with the steppedportion 430 of the lower frame 401. Thus, the second covering part 510may fill a blank space under the display panel 200 formed by the steppedportion 430 of the lower frame 401.

The supporting frame 520 supports the second covering part 510, and iscombined with the first lower frame portion 411. For example, thesupporting frame 520 may have a shape or profile similar to the lowerframe 401. The supporting frame 520 includes a first supporting frameportion 524 under the lower frame 401, and a second supporting frameportion 526 extended from the first supporting frame portion 524 andunder the second covering part 510. The second supporting frame portion526 extends from a side of the first supporting frame portion 524upwardly and is under the second covering part 510.

The fourth combining hole 416 includes a structure such that asub-combining part 332 may be inserted and fixed. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the fourth combining hole 416 may include athread of a screw. The first supporting frame portion 524 may include afifth combining hole 522 corresponding and aligned with the fourthcombining hole 416 of the lower frame 401. The sub-combining part 332 isinserted into the fourth combining hole 416 through the fifth combininghole 522. Thus, the first lower frame portion 411 and the firstsupporting frame portion 524 are fixed to each other by thesub-combining part 332. In the exemplary embodiment, for example, thefourth and fifth combining holes 416 and 522 fix the first lower frameportion 411 and the first supporting frame portion 524, but not limitedthereto. Alternatively, the fifth combining hole 522 may be at an areacorresponding to the second combining hole 412. The combining part 330may be inserted into the first combining hole 322 aligned with the fifthand second combining holes 522 and 412, so that the upper frame 300, thefirst lower frame portion 411 and the first supporting frame portion 524are fixed with each other at the same time by a single fixing membercombining part 330.

The second supporting frame 526 is under the second covering part 510,and substantially parallel with the second covering part 510. The secondsupporting frame 526 supports a peripheral portion of the secondcovering part 510. The first supporting frame portion 524 is fixed tothe first lower frame portion 411 by the sub-combining part 332, and thesecond supporting frame portion 526 pushes the second covering part 510upwardly to fix the second covering part 510 between the second lowerframe portion 420 and the second supporting frame portion 526.

As mentioned above, the display apparatus 1002 further includes thesecond covering part 510 in addition to the elements of the displayapparatus 1000 explained referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, so that thestructural stability of the display apparatus 1002 may be improved. Inaddition, the second supporting frame portion 526 may stably support theperipheral portion of the second covering part 510, so that the displaypanel 200 may be stably fixed in the display apparatus 1002 withexposing a lower portion of the display panel 200 to outside.

In addition, the blank space formed under the display panel 200 may beused, so that thickness of the display apparatus 1002 may be reduced.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating still anotherexemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention.FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 7.

A display apparatus 1004 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS.7 and 8 is substantially same as the display apparatus 1000 illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 3, except that a second covering part 510 is furtherdisposed under the display panel 200. Thus, any repetitive explanationconcerning the above elements will be omitted.

Referring to the FIGS. 7 and 8, the display apparatus 1004 includes afirst covering part 100, a display panel 200, an upper frame 300including a first combining portion 320 including a first combining hole322, a lower frame 400 including first and second lower frame portions411 and 420 and a stepped portion 430, and a second covering part 510.

The second covering part 510 may include a same material as the firstcovering part 100. The second covering part 510 has a planar areasmaller than a planar area of the first covering part 100, and isdisposed close to the display panel 200 on the peripheral portion of thedisplay panel 200 opposite to the first covering part 100.

The second lower frame portion 420 of the lower frame 400 is under thesecond covering part 510, and disposed substantially parallel with thesecond covering part 510. The second lower frame portion 420 supportsthe peripheral portion of the second covering part 510. The first lowerframe portion 410 is fixed to the upper frame 300 by the combining part330, and the second lower frame portion 420 pushes the second coveringpart 510 upwardly to fix the second covering part 510 between thedisplay panel 200 and the lower frame 400. A height of the steppedportion 430 is larger than that of the first combining portion 320. Whenthe first lower frame portion 410 is combined with the upper frame 300by the combining part 330, the stepped portion 430 may have height suchthat the second lower frame portion 420 may stably support and fix thesecond covering part 510.

As mentioned above, the display apparatus 1004 further includes thesecond covering part 510 and the second covering part 510 faces thedisplay panel 200, so that the structural stability of the displayapparatus 1004 may be improved. The structural stability of the displayapparatus 1004 according to the exemplary embodiment may be better thanthat of the display apparatus 1002 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thesecond lower frame portion 420 may stably support the peripheral portionof the second covering part 510, so that the structural stability of thedisplay panel 200 may be improved even though a lower portion of thearray substrate 210 is partially exposed to outside.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating still anotherexemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention.FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI′ of FIG. 9.

A display apparatus 1006 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS.9 and 10 is substantially same as the display apparatus 1000 illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 3, except that display apparatus 1006 further includes abacklight assembly LU disposed under the display panel 200. Thus, anyrepetitive explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted.

Referring to the FIGS. 9 and 10, the display apparatus 1006 includes afirst covering part 100, a display panel 200, an upper frame 300including a first combining portion 320 including a first combining hole322, a lower frame 400 including first and second lower frame portions411 and 420 and a stepped portion 430, and a backlight assembly LU. Thebacklight assembly LU includes a light guiding plate 600, a light source700 and an outside supporting frame 800.

The light guiding plate 600 changes an incident light having opticaldistribution of a point light source or a line light source, to anexiting light having optical distribution of a surface light source. Thelight guiding plate 600 includes a first surface 610 to which the lightsource 700 is disposed adjacent, and a second surface 620 through whichthe light incident into the first surface 610 exits. The light guidingplate 600 may have a plate shape having uniform thickness.Alternatively, thickness of the light guiding plate 600 may be graduallydecreased or increased as a distance from the light source 700increases. The light guiding plate 600 may have relatively hightransparency to increase transparency of the display apparatus 1006.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9, the light source 700 is disposedat a side of the light guiding plate 600, but not limited thereto. Inone exemplary embodiment, for example, the light source 700 may includea first light source group disposed adjacent to the first surface 610,and a second light source group disposed adjacent to a third surface 630opposite to the first surface 610.

The light source 700 includes a light emitting diode (“LED”) 710generating light using an external driving power supply andsemiconductor properties. The LED 710 is a point light source emitting apoint light having directivity. The LED 710 is mounted on the backlightassembly LU. The backlight assembly LU may include a circuit board 720electrically connected to the external driving power supply through alight source driving film 730. The light source driving film 730 mayextend from a side of the circuit board 720 and be connected to anexternal driving part (not shown). The light source 700 is disposed at aside of the light guiding plate 600. In the exemplary embodiment, forexample, the light source is disposed adjacent to the first surface 610of the light guiding plate 600.

The outside supporting frame 800 supports the light guiding plate 600and the light source 700, and is combined with the lower frame 400. Inthe exemplary embodiment, for example, the outside supporting frame 800includes a first supporting frame portion 810 under the first lowerframe portion 410 and combined with the first lower frame portion 410, asecond supporting frame portion 820 under the light guiding plate 600,and a third supporting frame portion 830 connecting the first supportingframe portion 810 to the second supporting frame portion 820 andreceiving the light source 700.

The first lower frame portion 410 includes a second combining hole 412and a sixth combining hole 418 to be combined with the first supportingframe portion 810. The sixth combining hole 418 includes a structuresuch that a sub-combining part 332 may be inserted and fixedtherethrough. In the exemplary embodiment, for example, the sixthcombining hole 418 may include a thread 419 of a screw. The firstsupporting frame portion 810 includes a seventh combining hole 812corresponding to the sixth combining hole 418 in the lower frame 400.The sub-combining part 332 is inserted into the sixth combining hole 418through the seventh combining hole 812. Thus, the first lower frameportion 410 and the first supporting frame portion 810 are combined witheach other. In the exemplary embodiment, the first lower frame portion410 and the first supporting frame portion 810 are fixed to each otherby the sixth and seventh combining holes 418 and 812, not limitedthereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, for example, theseventh combining hole 812 may correspond to the second combining hole412 of the lower frame 400. In this case, the combining part 330 isinserted into the first combining hole 322 through the seventh andsecond combining holes 812 and 412, so that the upper frame 300, thefirst lower frame portion 410 and the first supporting frame portion 810are fixed all together.

The second supporting frame portion 820 is disposed under the lightguiding plate 600 and substantially parallel with the light guidingplate 600. The second supporting frame portion 820 supports peripheralportion of the light guiding plate 600. The first supporting frameportion 810 is fixed to the first lower frame portion 410 by thesub-combining part 332, and the second supporting frame portion 820pushes the light guiding plate 600 upwardly to fix the light guidingplate 600.

The third supporting frame portion 830 connects the first supportingframe portion 810 to the second supporting frame portion 820, andreceives the light source 700. In the exemplary embodiment, for example,the third supporting frame portion 830 includes a first sidewall portion832 extending from the first outside frame portion 810 in a downwarddirection, a bottom portion 834 extending from the first sidewallportion 832 and substantially parallel with the light guiding plate 600,and a second sidewall portion 836 extending from the bottom portion 834and connected with the second supporting frame portion 820. The thirdsupporting frame portion 830 includes a receiving space formed by firstand second sidewall portions 832 and 836 and the bottom portion 834. Thelight source 700 is received in the receiving space. The circuit board720 may be attached to the first sidewall portion 832 using an adhesive740.

The stepped portion 430 of the lower frame 400 connects the first lowerframe portion 410 to the second lower frame portion 420. The lightsource 700 makes contact with the stepped portion 430. In the exemplaryembodiment, for example, a lower portion of the light source 700 isreceived in the third supporting frame portion 830, and an upper portionof the light source 700 makes contact with the stepped portion 430, sothat the light source 700 may be stably received and thickness of thedisplay apparatus 1006 may be reduced.

The lower frame 400 may further include a guiding portion 440 guiding aside surface of the light guiding plate 600. The guiding portion 440 isprotruded from the second lower frame portion 420 of the lower frame 400in a downward direction, and supports the side surface of the lightguiding plate 600. The guiding portion 440 may be inserted through anopening in the lower frame 400. The guiding portion 440 may extend fromthe lower frame 400.

The backlight assembly LU may further include a protection film 900disposed under the light guiding plate 600. The protection film 900 isattached under the light guiding plate 600 to protect the light guidingplate 600. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the protection film900 may be a scratch protecting film.

As mentioned above, the display apparatus 1006 includes the backlightassembly LU including the light guiding plate 600 having relatively hightransparency, so that the display apparatus 1006 may have relativelyhigh transparency and provide the light without using an external lightsource. In addition, the outside frame 800 may stably receive the lightsource 700 and thickness of the display apparatus 1006 may be reduced.

According to the invention, the display apparatus includes a firstcovering part, an upper frame and a lower frame, so that a display panelmay be stably fixed without additional backlight assembly having areceiving container. The first covering part is disposed on the displaypanel, the upper frame is attached under the first covering part, andthe lower frame includes a first lower frame portion combined with theupper frame and a second lower frame portion supporting the displaypanel, so that the display apparatus may improve transparency andstructural stability.

In addition, according to the invention, the display apparatus may beeasily assembled and disassembled, so that manufacturing process andrepairing process may be easy.

In addition, according to the invention, the driving part is disposed ata same first side of the display panel in a line, so that the displayapparatus may have a transparent structure of the display panel and havea relatively thin frame width at the same time.

The foregoing is illustrative of the invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthe invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described herein as performing the recited functionand not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative ofthe invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specificexemplary embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosedexemplary embodiments, as well as other exemplary embodiments, areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Theinvention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of theclaims to be included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panelcomprising a display area, and a peripheral portion surrounding thedisplay area; a lower frame which overlaps the peripheral portion of thedisplay panel; an elastic part disposed between the display panel andthe lower frame; and an upper frame surrounding the display panel in aplan view and comprising a first combining portion by which the upperframe is combined with the lower frame, wherein the upper frame isspaced apart from the display panel in the plan view.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first combining portion of the upperframe protrudes toward the lower frame.
 3. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a first covering part on the display panel,wherein the upper frame is disposed under the first covering part, andthe display panel is disposed between the first covering part and thelower frame.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein the firstcovering part comprises a tempered glass.
 5. The display apparatus ofclaim 4, further comprising an adhesive between the upper frame and thefirst covering part, such that the upper frame is attached to the firstcovering part by the adhesive.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the upper frame faces the peripheral portion of the displaypanel, and further comprising a first elastic part between a side of theupper frame and a side of the display panel.
 7. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein in the plan view the lower frame comprises: a firstlower frame portion which overlaps the upper frame; and a second lowerframe portion which extends from the first lower frame portion andoverlaps the display panel.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising a combining part which combines the lower frame with thefirst combining portion of the upper frame.
 9. The display apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein a first combining hole is defined in the firstcombining portion of the upper frame, a second combining hole is definedin the first lower frame portion and aligned with the first combininghole, and the combining part is combined with the first combining holeand extends through the second combining hole.
 10. The display apparatusof claim 9, wherein the upper frame and the first lower frame portionare fixed to each other.
 11. The display apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe second lower frame portion overlaps the peripheral portion of thedisplay panel in the plan view.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 11,wherein the elastic part is disposed between the display panel and thesecond lower frame portion.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 8,further comprising a backlight assembly comprising: a light guidingplate under the second lower frame portion; a light source adjacent to aside of the light guiding plate; and a supporting frame which overlaps aperipheral portion of the light guiding plate and the light source inthe plan view, and is combined with the lower frame.
 14. The displayapparatus of claim 13, wherein the supporting frame comprises: a firstsupporting frame portion which overlaps the first lower frame portion inthe plan view and is combined with the first lower frame portion; asecond supporting frame portion which overlaps the light guiding platein the plan view; and a third supporting frame which connects the firstsupporting frame portion to the second supporting frame portion, andreceives the light source.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 14,wherein the lower frame further comprises a stepped portion whichconnects the first lower frame portion to the second lower frameportion, and the light source is on the stepped portion.